Rachel Elizabeth Seed was just a tiny tot at 18 months old when she lost her beloved mom, journalist Sheila Turner Seed. Fast forward some years, and we’re finding Rachel debut a documentary filled with insightful ways through which she discovers her late mom – the documentary is called ‘A Photographic Memory’.
Exploring Her Mother’s Past
The compelling storytelling in ‘A Photographic Memory’ is from hundreds of hours of interviews that Sheila had conducted during the 1970s. These were no ordinary interviews, though. Sheila conversed with some of the most genius photographers the 20th century had been graced with.
Sheila’s work was a blend of the creative intention behind the works of amazing photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gordon Parks, and Cornell Capa. This educational venture was named ‘Images of Man’. It was her way of documenting her interactions with these revered personalities. But unbeknownst to many, through these interviews, she was weaving a story of her own. Her daughter, Rachel, would later stumble upon this narrative to uncover her late mother’s life story.
‘A Photographic Memory’ had its debut at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival held in Middlebury, Vermont. Much to everyone’s delight, the film bagged the festival’s Ralph Steiner Prize for Poetic Cinema.
Discovering Her Mother’s Life
Rachel’s film is jam-packed with her mother’s old pictures, diary entries, and recordings, which all aid Rachel’s quest to know her mother better. Additionally, the movie includes stories shared by her dad, her mother’s friends, and former lovers that Rachel uncovered.
A Journey into Making the Film
Rachel wears many hats. She has been a photo editor at New York Magazine and a Sundance Edit & Story Lab fellow. She chats with us about her journey into making this documentary.
When asked about what she imagines her mom would think of the film, Rachel expresses a belief that Sheila would delight in the idea of her life and work being displayed on a grand stage.
On if making this film brought her closer to her mother, Rachel confesses that the process allowed her to realize how alike they were. Not much changed in her work, but rather she discovered intriguing parallels in their interests and approaches to their respective crafts.
No stranger to the world of storytelling, Rachel started in publishing and writing after studying English Literature. The desire to avoid desk duty spurred her to explore photography, a craft her dad was fond of. While sorting her findings on her late mother, she believed this story needed to be more than a photography project or a writeup. At this eureka moment, she decided, ‘Okay, this is a film.’
Learning to Make A Documentary
But here’s a fun fact: Rachel had no idea how to make a film! So, she did what any millennial would – she sought help from Google. Along the way, she founded the Brooklyn Documentary Club which helped her connect with and learn from other filmmakers. Slowly but surely, Rachel found her footing in the extensive world of filmmaking.
Impact on Audiences
Rachel hopes the film resonates with viewers, especially those who have lost someone close or appreciate photo philosophy. Stories of viewers who are inspired to explore their old film footage or who find their creative spark again are what she finds most heartening.
Rachel’s journey in ‘A Photographic Memory’ and her evocative portrayal of her mother’s life brings comfort, inspiration, and solace to many. It’s proof that love goes beyond the limiting barriers of time and life, beautifully giving life to the age-old saying – ‘gone but not forgotten’.
